Füssen (Fuessen) [3] is an enchanting town in Bavaria, Germany known for the "Hohes Schloss" and its Basilica and former Benedictine monastery of [St Mang][4].It is also the birthplace of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos a pioneering American Religious who died in New Orleans due to yellow Fever.The world famous Neuschwanstein castle is situated a few kilometres to the east. Some visitors come to tour the castles and leave immediately afterwards leaving the beautiful little town unexplored.This is a great pity as there is much to see in Füssen and the surrounding area if you know what you are looking for! There are magnificant lakes with beatiful views and the "Kalvarienberg" which has the "Stations of the Cross" on it.

Contents

Get in

By train: There are many connections to Füssen from Munich and vice versa. Direct trains leave about every two hours. Other options require a change of trains along the way in another city.
By car: Füssen is on the end of the Romantic Road, coming from Augsburg as Bundesstrasse 17 (B 17). From Munich take the Autobahn A 96, leave at Landsberg Ost and follow the B 17.
By bus: Maybe the cheapest way to get there: Many bus tours are operated to Füssen from most parts of southern Bavaria, often including a visit of the fairy-tale castle Neuschwanstein. Watch for tours at Munich main station (Hauptbahnhof).

Get around

Füssen is small enough that a car is not really needed. There is a bus to the castles and the trains to Munich and Augsburg and the old town is easy enough to access by foot. You can walk to Neuschwanstein and Hochschwangau castles via some marked roads; travel times posted on the signboards are comfortable over-estimates.

There are some great areas nearby, like some of the lesser-known castles, which would be easier to reach with your own car. It is possible to rent a car in Füssen.

Another alternative is to rent a mountain bike. There are numerous shops, one even right at the train station. Füssen has invested a lot into developing a network of bike routes and paths to make biking easier.

Houses and Hohes Schloss (Higher Castle-Formally home to the Prince Bishops of Ausburg)in Füssen

Wieskirche: This pilgrimage church is one of the world's great rococo masterpieces, located only a ten-minute bus ride from Fussen in nearby Steingaden. A work of Dominikus Zimmermann and his brother Johann Baptist, it has been designated a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. Two bus trips daily; check at the station or Fussen tourist bureau for departure times.

Falkenstein: Another castle, this one is a ruin, a short distance from Füssen, near Pfronten. There is a great hotel and restaurant nearby, but driving there is a bit tricky.

Via Claudia: Füssen is on the Via Claudia — the old roman road from Donauwörth over the alps to Venice. You can travel the Via Claudia (or parts of) it by bike.

Tegelberg: A ski area, but in the summer you can take the lift to the top. Enjoy the view, hike some trails and stop by one of the little restaurants.

Do

Visit Castles

Visit the Stadtpfarrkirche und former Abbey of St. Mang. The church (the Abbey was founded over 1100 years ago) is known for its very beautiful choir and orchestra Sunday Masses and historic organs

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Haus Bagci: A very friendly guesthouse a few minutes' walk from town. The rooms are very comfortable and the price is reasonable. There are apartments or double rooms. [5]

Hotel Ruchti: A smaller, 3-star hotel, minutes away from the old town, but in an area with almost no traffic. They have about 26 rooms and a great restaurant. Great people and great atmosphere, and wireless internet. [6]

Youth Hostel (Jugendherberge) The youth hostel is located behind the train station and is roughly a ten-minute walk. Most of the staff are not locals, but Germans from other parts of the country and want to complete their civil service in the area of the Alps, so they can be active in alpine sports. [7]

House L.A-City Hostel (+49-170 62 48610, fax: +49 8362 38534,[email protected] Their newly opened "House L.A." is perfect for travellers or family on a budget who wish to explore the region or who are looking for a weekend getaway. They offer private rooms for two to five people (suite) and are located in Füssen, near Neuschwanstein Castle. From the balcony or terrace you can enjoy the amazing view of the Alps.

Another option is to drive about 10-minutes via the Schnellstrasse or hike about 1-hour along the beautiful wooded "fairytale" trails that connect Füssen with the nearby Austrian village of Pinswang. There you will find several inns and private homes with guestrooms for travelers. For information on where to stay in Pinswang, see [9]

Get out

Ehrenburg: Across the border in Tirol, Austria, near the city of Reutte. Very authentic and being restored.

Be sure to visit nearby Austrian villages of Vils, Pflach, Pinswang and the capital of the Austrian Ausserfern District, Reutte.